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“With Their Hair On Fire”

Derrick Brooks used to say that he and the old school Buccaneers competed for every blade of grass.

That was the mentality. No piece of Tampa Bay turf was acceptable to give away.

That glory days mindset is returning. Joe could sense that from talking to various Bucs assistant coaches this week.

Coaches are simplifying things but ramping up pressure on players to perform those basic tasks.

Take life on the Bucs’ defensive line. D-line coach Joe Cullen admits, “We don’t ask them to do a lot” and that means he won’t get to evaluate much until players can start hitting each other and squaring off in training camp. In this pass-rush first defense, Cullen will have a basic measuring stick: “You got a 1-on-1 rush, you gotta beat it,” he said.

Coaches talk about winning every down and “bringing it” on Sunday is high a standard for Bucs icon and linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson. He expects what Cullen says will be the hallmark of the Bucs’ defense, “They’re going to play hard with their hair on fire.”

What’s exciting is the Bucs have enough defensive talent to dominate and be a top-5 defense. How quickly it can all mesh, and whether Lovie Smith can have everyone reacting versus thinking — with their hair on fire — will be key.

Joe’s not expecting it all to blossom out of the gate, but Joe’s more confident in the defense getting it done before the Week 7 bye, as opposed to the offense.

14 Responses to ““With Their Hair On Fire””

Sounds great on paper, but it’s a Tampa 2 variation…bend but don’t break D. Add to the fact the Bucs play in the NFC South and I’m guessing the D will be mid-pack at best in yards allowed. Just hoping the takeaways are top 10 and the offense can at least be mid-pack

@ Joe
I’m actually more concerned with our back-7 defense adjusting to all the nuances of the Cover 2 zone scheme than our offense… It seems nowadays, opposing offenses are very familiar with where the holes in coverage are in the Tampa 2 & we are going to have to be really on point in coverage & we need a strong consistent pass rush to be dominant. But I honestly think we have the potential to be a top 5 defense & top offense this year. If we do that, we’re winning the Superbowl this year.

I’m with Buc the Haters. If our o-line is the weakest link in the offense look for our QB to be under-pressure. Glennon collapse under pressure while McCown shine last year. It’s a no brainer. Remember Glennon “The Cannon” is the QB of the future which means after McCown leaves town. IMHO

Play with their hair on Fire….sounds like A.Clay fits that mould. From what I remember the weakest area of the Tampa 2 was always the run defence…our division and even the league is obsessed with passing so it may be a really great fit for stopping modern defences.

‘As much of a leader as Collins has already become during the offseason, he defers the top ranking leadership role to veteran quarterback Josh McCown, who has taken One Buccaneer Place by storm with how connected he has become to each and every unit on offense. McCown has quickly earned the respect of veterans and rookies alike and everyone has marveled with how quickly and effectively the Buccaneers offense has fallen in line behind him.’

“He’s a real leader,” Collins said. “He’s a veteran. You can’t question that. As far as his play, it’s going to speak for itself. But as far as him being a leader, he’s all we need.”